Men's Basketball Hosts In-State Rival Wisconsin
12/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2006
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MILWAUKEE - The No. 17/20 Marquette men's basketball team hosts No. 11/12 Wisconsin, Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Bradley Center, in the 113th meeting between the teams. The contest will mark just the third time both team's come into the contest nationally ranked. In their most-played rivalry, the Golden Eagles (9-1) trail the Badgers (8-1), 51-61, all-time in the series.
"It is always a great game and a great match-up in this state," said head coach Tom Crean. "It is the most recognized rivalry of basketball in this state and we are happy to be a part of it. They are playing very well and are very efficient. They put their skill players on the floor that can pass, shoot and make plays for others. It is going to be a very tough game and we are glad it is at home."
MU is 101-22 at the Bradley Center under Crean and 2-1 at home against UW.
After suffering its first loss of the season to North Dakota State, Dec. 2, Marquette bounced back Tuesday night with a 65-48 defeat of Delaware State, giving Crean the 150th victory of his career. Four players registered in double figures for the Golden Eagles, including a game-high 16 points by sophomore Jerel McNeal. Junior Dan Fitzgerald, in his first start of the season, added a season-high 13 points and seven rebounds, and sophomores Wesley Matthews and Dominic James chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively.
James continues to lead MU offensively, averaging 17.0 points per game, fourth in the BIG EAST. McNeal (13.9) and Matthews (12.0) also average in double figures in points. Junior Ousmane Barro has become a solid presence around the net, grabbing 7.1 rebounds per game with a 61.1 shooting percentage, 10th in the conference in both categories.
"I think our team is getting better in a sense that they are understanding what it takes to win," Crean said. "Anytime you lose a game or struggle in a game it makes it even clearer that execution, effort and the ability to rebound and make key stops defensively is what is crucial for us to make improvement. Sometimes this year we have done an excellent job of that, and sometimes we haven't, and I think that is part of the process of a young team and early part of the season."
Along with his offensive abilities, McNeal has made a name for himself on the defensive end as well. With 39 steals in 10 games, the guard leads not only the BIG EAST, but also everyone else in the nation.
The Badgers return to the court for their first true road game of the season after defeating Winthrop, 82-79, Monday night in Madison, behind a career-high 21 points by junior guard Michael Flowers. Senior forward Alando Tucker leads Wisconsin with 19.3 points per game. Senior guard Kammron Taylor (11.9) and junior forward Brian Butch (10.3) average double-figures in scoring. Butch leads the squad, grabbing 6.1 rebounds per game. UW's only loss of the season came on the road against Missouri State, 66-64.
Wisconsin won last season's meeting between the teams, 77-63, at the Kohl Center. Taylor led all scorers with 18 points. Steve Novak (14) and James (10) led Marquette in scoring.
